From the desk of Pastor Ben
The Identity Of Believers
“I will build My church.”        (Matthew 16:18a
Jesus short statement here also emphasizes the identity of His people, “My church.” This is the first New Testament usage of the Greek word ekklesia for “church,” and with no qualifying explanation. So, the disciples would have understood it only in its most commonplace sense as meaning “called out ones” — or as one of its synonyms, such as “assembly,” “community,” or “congregation.” The fact that Christ likely spoke in Aramaic does not change the basic understanding the apostles would have had, namely “an invited gathering,” a term regularly used of synagogue meetings.
After the Day of Pentecost, ekklesia took on a new and technical significance in the epistles (which contain instructions for its proper functioning and leadership), denoting God’s redeemed community established on Jesus Christ by the Spirit’s coming.
The author of Hebrews mentions “the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23), speaking of the redeemed throughout the ages. Jesus undoubtedly uses they term “church” here in this same way, as a synonym for citizens of His eternal kingdom (see Matthew 16:19). Therefore, believers today can take great comfort and confidence that Jesus never builds His kingdom apart from His church or His church apart from His kingdom.

Ask Yourself:
How well do you think you understand the central mission and purpose of the church? Would you say your church is built around those core, biblical objectives? How are you living them out as a body, and how could you reposition certain things to do it better?